A description of five features of speaking activities for language teaching (roles, outcomes, procedure, split information, and challenges) precedes the claim that teachers who understand these features can improve the speaking activities they employ and create their own activities according to individual features or combinations of features.…

Voice quality settings (physiological configurations contributing to phonetic production) can be used to characterize ESL students' accents and help improve pronunciation. Settings of one variety of North American English and those in other languages are identified. Suggestions are given for making students aware of their own settings. (MSE)

The claim that computer simulation exercises provide an excellent source of speaking practice is considered by examining the properties of computer simulations from a theoretical point of view and by describing the experience of using a particular simulation in a general English as a foreign language classroom. (Author/SED)

Ten readings offering specific suggestions and ideas for teachers of advanced (third year and beyond) foreign language classes include: (1) "Increasing Enrollments in Upper-Level Classes" by Barbara Snyder; (2) "Coping with the Choices" by Donna E. Sutton; (3) "Group Work in Advanced Classes" by Reid E. Baker; (4)…

This paper is a virtual transcript of a conference presentation. It discusses the context of the course: the students, the expectations of the faculty and employers and the administrative constraints, and the course itself at the University of Hong Kong, an English-medium institution. Teaching non-native speakers to make effective oral…